Once for All

Things weren't always this way.  There was a time when today would be marked with solemnity, not unbridled joy.  Fasting, not feasting. Blood, not remembrance. Symbolism, not reality.

Three thousand years ago, on this day, the High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, the Kadosh haKadoshim. He entered in, dressed in the clothes his ancestor Aaron wore, and he sacrificed in order to atone for the sins of his people. Surely he was not astute enough to realize that this didn't actually atone for anything.  How could the blood of bulls and goats and lambs cover for transgression against the infinitely righteous God? It could not.  But it could function as a symbol to point them towards a better sacrifice.

As he entered the Temple, thousands stood attentive, their hope resting on his ability to sacrifice. Hopefully he would not have a thought so sinful that God would smite him on the spot for his irreverence, as He had done earlier with Uzziah.  They sacrificed animals daily.  But today was different.  It was not just any day.  Today is Yom Kippur.  Today is the Day of Atonement. He walks out of the Temple, not to return to that room for another year. There is a collective sigh of relief, knowing that they are still God's Covenant people.

Almost two thousand years ago now, the High Priest of High Priests entered the Temple.  Within days He was beaten. He was spit on.  He walked to a hill, and there was put on a cross.  On that cross, all the sins of the elect, whether they be those watching the events unfold in front of Him, or those who waited outside the Temple year after year as the High Priest gave his symbolic sacrifice, or those today who trust in His work, we're finally and completely atoned for.  

Many today did not sleep last night. They were up all night studying the Torah.  They didn't brush their teeth.  They haven't eaten in well over half a day.  They stand in hope that their sins will be atoned for.  Today is Yom Kippur. Today is the Day of Atonement.

I woke up this morning, and ate breakfast.  I will not fast, but will feast.  I will feast because my sins past, present, and future have already been atoned for.  I rejoice because in the sacrifice of the Son of God I have rest, because son has been paid for once for all. Today is Yom Kippur.  Today is the Day of Atonement.